cat rigged, center board, 2 piece mast, 88sq ft sail, monohull
Very fast design, about the same size as a Laser, but with more sail area, and a very nice large cockpit for it's size.
Planes very easily, very responsive and excilerating sailing. It can handle up to 3 adults in the cockpit (although that's pushing it, we sail with 2 adults and 2 childeren and that is quite cramped).
Wet sailing, and a litle overpowered for my 135 lbs alone, it does better with 2 in heavier breezes.
Very satisfied, as long as it used for it's intended purposes.
I have never come accros another one, but they must be out there somewhere.

Not surprising the Maryland reviewer from 1997 has not found another one. It was designed near and for the San Francisco Bay and its heavy chop. Hence the fairly high front deck and sharp, deep bow sections. The class never caught on, losing out to the simpler design of the Laser, I think. Parts are hard to come by. There is a class web page. Here's the link: http://www-swiss.ai.mit.edu/~bentz/banshee.html

Just a quick reminisce: I bought a Banshee while in high school, in early 1970s. Sailed it on SF Bay, mostly out of Palo Alto or wherever a race was happening. Barry Bruch had started Banshee International, was trying to compete with Laser. Just didn't have the marketing ummph. (I remember him coming to our house and making an investment pitch to my dad, who decided against it.) The Banshee wasn't quite as tightly controlled one-design, but to my mind was much more comfortable to sail (rounded cockpit gunwales instead of hard ones). But there were design weaknesses. Twice the bottom of the mast-step tube broke free from inside the hull. Once I managed to capsize quickly, keeping from major damage. Another time I punched through the bottom of the hull. Staff from Banshee Int'l patched me up!

She was my first wholly-owned boat [the El Toro before that was my parents :-) ]. Guess you never get over your first love -- I'd snap one up in a minute today!